President Obama renewed his vow to remove all combat troops out of Iraq by next year in an announcement, Tuesday, from the White House.

That pledge is a part of an agreement made toward the end of the Bush administration that includes pulling out all counterinsurgency and support troops by the end of 2011.

President Obama made his remarks during an Oval Office meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki.

Their talks covered more than the usual military and security issues.

"What is wonderful about this trip is that it represents a transition in our bilateral relation relationship so that we are moving now to issues beyond security and we're beginning to talk about the economy, trade, and commerce," Obama said.

Obama also pressed the Iraqi leader for more transparency and Democratic safeguards ahead of a nationwide election in January.